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Revised U.S. overtime rules draw mixed reviews<font size=3>
Reuters, 04.20.04, 2:40 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration, under election-year pressure, announced Tuesday a big change in its new rules for <font size=4>white-collar workers that would let employees earning up to $100,000 a year remain eligible for overtime pay<font size=3>.
The administration also said its revised <font size=4>regulations would increase by 1.3 million the number of low-income employees guaranteed overtime protection even if they are classified as previously exempted administrators.
In addition, it said the rules specifically declare that blue-collar workers, police officers, firefighters and other so-called first responders are entitled to overtime protection, which had earlier been a point of contention.
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"Today workers win because the Department of Labor is
issuing new rules that guarantee and strengthen overtime
rights for more American workers than ever before,"
declared Elaine Chao, the department's secretary.
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The regulations, set to take effect in 120 days following publication in the Federal Register, likely on Friday, drew mixed reviews.
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The Labor Department proposed regulations last year, and revised them after public comment and opposition in Congress mostly from Democrats who charged the initial proposal could cost more than 8 million Americans overtime pay, and vowed to make it an issue in the November election.
Backers contended the regulations would update and clarify antiquated work rules.
On Tuesday, organized labor and some Democrats challenged Chao's claims, fearing the new rules could be manipulated.
Yet Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, a South Dakota Democrat, said while he had not examined the new regulations, "I am hopeful that there has been some reason for optimism."
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, whose labor group has said it may challenge the regulations in court, said, "The president (George W. Bush) has a credibility gap when it comes to overtime."
"Americans should demand immediate repeal of any part of the president's plan that cuts overtime pay," Sweeney said.
The business community and leading Republican lawmakers praised the new regulations even though some in industry were disappointed the department preserved overtime pay for white-collar workers earning up to $100,000, having boosted the figure from a previously proposed $65,000.
"For 25 years, every administration has made reform of these regulations a priority, but none has been successful until now," said Randel Johnson, a vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
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In addition to raising the ceiling for protected overtime workers, the new regulations would boost the floor. Under them, white-collar workers earning less than $23,660 a year would be guaranteed overtime protection, up from the current $8,060.
More than a half century ago, the Fair Labor Standards Act created the 40-hour work week by guaranteeing overtime pay for each additional hour on the job. (White collar) Administrative, professional and executive employees were exempted. <font size=3>
The Labor Department last year proposed allowing more employees to be reclassified as administrators, professionals or executives, provided they met certain criteria.
A top Republican lawmaker said he would hold a hearing on the new regulations next week.
"I'm pleased that the department has listened to public comments ... in updating its final regulations," said Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee. "I look forward to ... hearing more specifics."
Copyright 2004, Reuters News Service
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